20 things to do in North Devon this October half term

There are plenty of things to do in North Devon this half term. Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto

From Halloween festivals and pumpkin trails to spooky crafts, haunted houses, beach cleans and classic film showings, here’s our guide to half term in North Devon.

October half term is upon us, and whether you've got children or not, it can sometimes be hard to think of things to do.

Which is why we've come to your aid and put together this list of 20 things to do in North Devon this October half term!

From Halloween festivals and pumpkin trails to chocolate festivals, classic film showings, beach cleans, food festivals and more - here is our definitive guide to October Half Term in North Devon.

Halloween Festival at The Big Sheep - all half term

If there's one place in North Devon that goes all out at Halloween, it's The Big Sheep with its South West Halloween Festival.

From Sunday, October 20, until October 28 the Abbotsham attraction promises to be fun by day and scary by night, with an array of events and activities throughout the week.

It all changes after dark. As the cloak of darkness falls at The Big Sheep, brave families will experience heart-pounding scares in the Field of Screams.

Clovelly Apple Day - Wednesday, October 24, 11am-4pm

Clovelly Estate is holding it's third ever Apple Day on Wednesday, with plenty of family-friendly crafts and activities.

The Big Sheep will be hosting a Halloween festival. Picture: Richard Austin

Visitors can bring their own apples for apple pressing outside of the visitor centre and enjoy some fresh juice.

There will also be live music, apple bobbing, apple stamping and making corn dollies. Then at 1pm there will a Harvest Hunt, garden tour and chef demonstration.

Spooky fun day, Queen Anne's Cafe - Thursday, October 25

Children are being invited to get into the Halloween spirit at Queen Anne's Cafe on the Strand in Barnstaple during half-term week next week.

The cafe and restaurant, which opened in the town's former heritage centre building in May this year, is hosting a spooky family fun day on Thursday, October 25 in support of Children's Hospice South West (CHSW).

From 11am-2pm, there will be Halloween-themed arts and crafts, face painting, a lucky dip and fancy dress and crafts competitions. Local children's entertainer Dave Hendy will be performing a spooky magic show at 11.30am.

Trick and treats at Affinity Devon - all half term

Prepare for fright and delight at Affinity Devon this October half-term with the return of Choc Fest and lots of spooky goings on to celebrate Halloween.

The Choc Fest takes place over the weekend (October 20-21) from 10am-4pm each day, with stalls and a visit from Willy Wonka.

Pumpkins and apples from the Clovelly garden. Picture: Terry Annis

Then on Monday, Wednesday and Friday there will be spooky free face-painting and on Thursday a craft workshop. On Saturday Sarah Anne Westcott School of Dance will be back for the second year in a row to deliver a haunting Halloween-themed performance.

Pumpkin trail at Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park - all half term

There are two weeks of bone rattling fun at Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park this October half term.

Don't forget to join in the Halloween pumpkin trail around the park and win some deliciously gory sweets!

Visit any day from the October 20 to November 4 for bat-tacular Halloween fun, and don't forget to bring the advert to receive free admission for one child with each full paying adult.

Fun and games at Quince Honey Farm - all half term

Visit Quince Honey Farm for lots of Halloween fun and games during the October half term.

There will be themed crafts to take part in, blood red candle rolling, creepy crawly critter encounters and a terrifying treasure trail.

Be sure to plan a visit before Sunday, October 28 and bid farewell to the honey farm as you know it!

Get up close with bugs at Quince Honey Farm! Picture: WR Photography

Family fun at Yeo Valley Woodland - Sunday, October 28, 3-6pm

Enjoy some spooky family fun at Barnstaple's Yeo Valley Woodland this Halloween.

Spend the afternoon carving pumpkins, making spooky crafts with Mrs Recycle and building nest boxes for the woodland at North Devon Council's award-winning community woodland. Enjoy a barbecue and refreshments in the open air at this fun family event. Come in your creepiest costume and you could win a prize!

The Halloween event takes place on Sunday 28 October from 3-6pm. Pumpkin carving is £2.50, nest boxes for the woodland are free to make, however if you want to take yours home there is a charge of £3. All proceeds go towards the Children's Summer Club and Friends of Yeo Valley Community Woodland.

Slime making at Green Lanes, Barnstaple - October 25 & 26

Green Lanes Shopping Centre is hosting slime-making workshops on October 25 and 26.

Come along and join in the spook-tacular Halloween fun.

Make your own pot of slime to take home for free.

Wicked Week in Bideford - all half term

There's witchy craft fun and more at The Milky Way this Halloween half term.

Prepare for some spooky fun in Bideford this week as once again traders take part in the annual Wicked Week.

There will be activities around the town all week and shops have been invited to decorate their windows in a carnival theme.

This includes pumpkin carving at Elizabeth's Lucifer on October 20 and apple bobbing on October 27 from 11am-3pm.

School for Witches and Wizards at The Milky Way - all half term

This half term at The Milky Way families are invited to enrol in a very special School for Witches and Wizards - and to dress for the occasion too.

From Saturday, October 20, to Sunday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 30, to Thursday, November 1, there will be lots of extra Halloween activities to enjoy - all designed to be fun rather than scary.

From October 20-28 there will be a fancy dress competition, themed show and special spooky swamp dodgems sessions, plus your little horrors will also be able to take part in wand-making, spell writing and casting, broomstick riding (for little ones) and potion making.

Spooky Cycle, Barnstaple Rugby Club - Saturday, October 27, 5-11.30pm

Join in with the charity night cycle starting and finishing from Barnstaple Rugby Club and heading along the Tarka Trail.

Check out North Devon Foodfest this October half term.

Though this is a "Ride not a Race", it is open to all levels of cyclists, with families and company teams encouraged to ride together.

Registration is from 5pm and the ride begins at 7pm. Participants are encouraged to ride in fancy dress with the theme being Halloween.

Room on the Broom at RHS Rosemoor - all half term

Join RHS Garden Rosemoor this October half term (20 - 28 October) for an adventure with Room on the Broom, written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.

Children will go free with a voucher downloadable on the RHS Rosemoor website.

There will also be an exhibition of Fabulous Beasts for all to enjoy.

Brilliant bats and spooky walks at Arlington Court - all half term

Arlington Court is hosting a series of spooky goings-on during October half term.

Follow the bat trail around Arlington to learn more about these amazing creatures and claim your prize.

You could join in one of the beach and river cleans this October half term. Picture: Plastic Free North Devon

Take part in some creepy crafts or book in for one of the spooky walks around the grounds after nightfall.

Children's book reading at Block - Wednesday, October 24, 4-5pm

Head to Block in Butchers Row, Barnstaple on Wednesday for their first ever children's book reading.

Claire Barker will be reading from the Knitbone Pepper series and will be sharing her new book Picklewitch and Jack with you and your kids (most suited to 7-9 year olds).

The event is free and there will be free hot chocolate for all children attending.

North Devon Foodfest - Sunday, October 21, 10am-3pm

Enjoy foodie delights and watch demonstrations from top local chefs at North Devon Foodfest this weekend.

The event at Barnstaple Pannier Market on Sunday is bound to be a busy one, but filled with tasty treats.

There will also be entertainment in Market Street and Butchers Row eateries will be open as well.

Get involved in Wicked Week this October half term. Picture: Graham Hobbs

There will also be food and coffee, freebies and musical entertainment.

Enjoy craft stalls and artisan producers and learn more about renewable energy and more.

Beach and river cleans - various dates

If you want to do something meaningful during the half term break, why not join one of the Plastic Free North Devon beach cleans.

The Great Autumn Beach and River Cleans will take place at Rock Park in Barnstaple, meeting near Park School car park on Thursday, October 25, from 11am-1pm.

There will also be a clean up held at Grey Sands, Appledore, on Saturday, October 27, meeting at the end of Burrows Lane from 2-4pm.

Ghostbusters on the Big Screen - Sunday, October 21, 6pm

Head to Affinity Devon this October half term for its Chocolate Festival.

If you fancy watching this absolute classic on the big screen, you're in luck!

Ghostbusters will be showing at Barnstaple Cinema, thanks to Barnstaple Classic Cinema Club, and there are still some tickets left.

Visit their website to buy your tickets and see what other treats are on the line-up.

Free walks at Northam Burrows - October 22 and 23

Northam Burrows Country Park are holding TWO free events next week as part of their autumn activity programme.

There will be a Bird Walk on October 22 from 2-4pm. Led by the Ranger team this walk will take a look at the winter migrant species that begin to arrive in the park at this time of year.

There will also be a special History Walk, on October 23 from 2-4pm, with North Devon Coast AONB as part of their Coastal Heritage Project. Focusing on World War 2 this walk will take a look at the role of Northam Burrows during the conflict. Both events will meet at the Burrows Centre.

About North Devon Gazette

First published in 1856 as the Bideford Gazette, the North Devon Gazette is the free newspaper and website for the region, covering a vast area from Hartland in the west to Lynton in the east and to South Molton and Holsworthy in the south.